Exploring Human Obligations to Disabled Animals
Abstract
Abstract Most domesticated animals are created for the purpose of humans to exploit or use them in some way. But what happens when these animals cannot fulfill the “purpose” they were created for? This article explores what humans owe toward these disabled domestic animals. Using Tom Regan's theory of animal rights, along with existing human medical ethics and individual case studies, the topics of euthanasia, quality of life, and veterinary ethics are all explored. The article concludes that we have a moral obligation to care for the animals that we have created to be reliant on us. This obligation does not disappear because of an animal's “unprofitability,” disability, or illness.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Animal Law and Welfare
Philosophical Ethics and Theory
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Animal Ethics
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 54–71
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN